I now use an MTD 17HP 42" lawn tractor to cut my field in the Catskills (no bagging ). Sometimes the grass is up to 3 feet tall. If I take 1/2 bites at it cutting is tough but it will do it. I found a near mint Wheel Horse 312-8 for $650.00 but it is only 12HP.These old engines seem to have much more torque. Would this tractor handle the tough cutting better or worse than the MTD and is $650.00 a good price .It comes with mulching and bagging decks and a twin bagger . The MTD and the Wheel Horse both have 2 blade decks. I will not be mulching or bagging.